Comet Comments

Don Machholz

Comet LINEAR (1998 M5) fades in our evening sky as it pulls away from both us and the sun. Periodic Comet Jager is also dimming in our evening sky. It will be back in 15 years. Meanwhile, Comet LINEAR (1998 T1), discovered late last year, emerges from behind the sun and into our morning sky.

Comet Hunting Notes: Of the 79 visual comet discoveries since 1975, 30 (38%) have been made in the first half of the year, with 49 finds in the second half. Subdividing the year into quarters, the first quarter has 18 discoveries, the second has 12, the third has 26 and the last three months of the year yields 23 finds.